toledoblade.com --

Katie Schramm, a Perrysburg high school senior, will have a lot of homework this school year.

The first student enrolled in the new Perrysburg Digital Academy, she will go to classes, talk with teachers, take tests, and record her attendance without leaving her bedroom. It's all done online via computer.

Last night, after working a shift at a Subway shop, Katie officially began her school year. "I worked this morning, and I will do my schoolwork tonight," she said.

She enrolled in the online school, in part, because of the flexibility. "I can work when I want now," she said.

Some other factors influenced her decision. "I don't like getting up real early in the morning," she said.

Although she only needs 11/2 credits to fulfill her graduation requirements, she has elected to take four credits. She is taking classes in psychology, English, economics, and legends and leaders.

Katie, who is looking forward to progressing at her own pace, has "talked" online with her homeroom teacher.

Others students have signed up for enrollment in the Perrysburg Digital Academy, but they are attending orientation sessions and setting up the computers, scanners, and printers issued to them.

Shawn Deitemeyer, an academy coordinator who visited Katie's home Sunday night to offer some technical assistance with the computer set-up, said students are required to have one meaningful contact per teacher per week, such as by participating in an online discussion.

Students will be expected to put in about 25 to 30 hours of work a week, he said, but those hours could be broken up over seven days.

So far, 13 students have signed up: 10 high school students, two junior high, and an elementary pupil.

The academy hopes to have the equivalent of 25 full-time students when the official head count is conducted in October.

To build its enrollment figures, the academy is reaching out to about 40 kindergartners now enrolled in the Perrysburg School District's new all-day classes.

Parents of kindergartners are being encouraged to enroll their children in the digital academy, officials said.

Superintendent Michael Cline said the youngsters could experience online learning - in class, rather than at home as will older students of the digital academy - of early literacy skills.

The academy bought a digital learning curriculum for math, reading, and science for use by the kindergarten pupils.

Online learning classes for the kindergarten pupils will be offered at Frank and Toth schools in Perrysburg.

Cost for the kindergarten curriculum and three computer stations was about $102,000. If the students enroll, they would be considered half-time Perrysburg school students and half-time digital academy students.

Dr. Cline estimated the kindergarten pupils would more than likely be enrolled by mid-September in the digital academy.

The academy has received start-up funding from the state as well as federal assistance. The academy will receive state funding for students enrolled in the online classes.

More state funds will be received for kindergarten pupils in the digital academy than if they were just public school pupils, Dr. Cline said. "We are anticipating it may be as much as twice as much, but we won't actually know until we submit the enrollment data and get the foundation payment."

If the academy's enrollment falls short of 25, the students would be considered Tri-Rivers Educational Computer Association students rather than Perrysburg students, and Perrysburg would not get state money, Mr. Deitemeyer said.

The association provides the online instruction based on the state curriculum using certified teachers, and has been assisting with the start-up of the online school.

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